How common is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder? Towards resolution of the controversy: results from a population-based study

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is a common behavioral disorder among children, yet there is uncertainty about many aspects of AD/HD, including its precise frequency of occurrence, presence of comorbid conditions, long-term outcomes and the impact of treatment on long-term outcome. The objectives of the studies described in this paper were to address these important questions about AD/HD. The study subjects were from a population-based birth cohort, and included all children born in Rochester, Minnesota, from 1976 to 1982, who remained in the community after the age of 5 y (n = 5718). Complete medical and school records were available for all members of the birth cohort, including detailed information about AD/HD symptoms, psychometric test and questionnaire results, medical and non-medical treatments, and long-term academic and psychosocial outcomes. This information was used to identify 375 subjects from the birth cohort with AD/HD, based on well-defined research criteria. The estimated cumulative incidence of AD/HD at the age of 19y was 7.5% (95% confidence interval 6.5-8.4). Data from these 375 subjects with AD/HD will be used in ongoing studies of this disorder.

Efficacy and safety of valdecoxib in treating the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, controlled comparison with placebo and naproxen

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of the COX-2 specific inhibitor valdecoxib with the conventional NSAID naproxen and placebo in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

This multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of valdecoxib 10 mg (n=209), 20 mg (n=212) or 40 mg once daily (q.d.) (n=221) with naproxen 500 mg b.i.d. (n=226) or placebo (n=222), in treating the signs and symptoms of RA. Efficacy was assessed by the number of patients responding to treatment according to the American College of Rheumatology-Responder Index (ACR-20).

RESULTS

ACR-20 response was recorded for all randomized patients who received a single dose of study medication (above). Valdecoxib, at all administered doses, produced significant improvements in the ACR-20 Responder Index at weeks 2, 6 and 12 compared with placebo (P<or=0.01). Valdecoxib and naproxen did not differ in terms of ACR-20 response rate and the three doses of valdecoxib were similar to one another. All three doses of valdecoxib were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Single daily doses of valdecoxib 10, 20 and 40 mg demonstrated efficacy that was superior to placebo and similar to naproxen in treating the signs and symptoms of RA. All three doses provided similar levels of efficacy.

Two-year, blinded, randomized, controlled trial of treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis with leflunomide compared with methotrexate. Utilization of Leflunomide in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Trial Investigator Group

OBJECTIVE

Three 6-12-month, double-blind, randomized, controlled trials have shown leflunomide (LEF; 20 mg/day, loading dose 100 mg x 3 days) to be effective and safe for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This analysis of the North American trial assessed whether the clinical benefit evident at month 12 was sustained over 24 months of treatment with LEF as compared with the efficacy and safety of methotrexate (MTX), an equivalent disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, at 24 months.

METHODS

The year-2 cohort, comprising patients continuing into the second year of treatment with > or = 1 dose of study medication and > or = 1 followup visit after week 52, consisted of 235 patients (LEF n = 98; placebo n = 36; MTX n = 101). The mean (+/- SD) maintenance dose of LEF was 19.6 +/- 1.99 mg/day in year 2 and that of MTX was 12.6 +/- 4.69 mg/week. Statistical analyses used an intent-to-treat (ITT) approach. Statistical comparisons of the active treatments only were prospectively defined in the protocol.

RESULTS

In total, 85% and 79% of LEF and MTX patients, respectively, who entered year 2 completed 24 months of treatment. From month 12 to month 24, the American College of Rheumatology improvement response rates of > or = 20% (LEF 79% versus MTX 67%; P = 0.049), > or = 50% (LEF 56% versus MTX 43%; P = 0.053), and > or = 70% (LEF 26% versus MTX 20%; P = 0.361) were sustained in both of the active treatment groups. The mean change in total Sharp radiologic damage scores at year 2 compared with year 1 and baseline (LEF 1.6 versus MTX 1.2) showed statistically equivalent sustained retardation of radiographic progression in the active treatment groups. Maximal improvements evident at 6 months in the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index (HAQ DI) and the physical component score of the Medical Outcomes Survey 36-item short form were sustained over 12 months and 24 months; improvement in the HAQ DI with LEF4(-0.60) was statistically significantly superior to that with MTX (-0.37) at 24 months (P = 0.005). Over 24 months in the ITT cohort, serious treatment-related adverse events were reported in 1.6% of the LEF-treated patients and 3.7% of the MTX-treated patients. Frequently reported adverse events included upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, rash, reversible alopecia, and transient liver enzyme elevations.

CONCLUSION

The safety and efficacy of LEF and MTX were maintained over the second year of this 2-year trial. Both active treatments retarded radiographic progression over 24 months. LEF was statistically significantly superior to MTX in improving physical function as measured by the HAQ DI over 24 months of treatment. Results indicate that LEF is a safe and effective initial treatment for active RA, with clinical benefit sustained over 2 years of treatment without evidence of new or increased toxicity.

A randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial of diclofenac plus misoprostol versus acetaminophen in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee

OBJECTIVE

To perform a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial of diclofenac + misoprostol versus acetaminophen in ambulatory patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

METHODS

Patients in 12 ambulatory care settings were eligible if they were age >40 years and if they had Kellgren/Lawrence radiographic grade 2-4 osteoarthritis of the knee or hip and a score of > or =30 mm on a 100-mm visual analog pain scale. Patients were randomized to one of two groups, 75 mg diclofenac + 200 microg misoprostol twice daily or 1,000 mg acetaminophen 4 times daily (each for 6 weeks), and were then crossed over to the other treatment for 6 weeks. A placebo was included in each treatment regimen to enable double blinding. The primary outcome measures were the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and the visual analog pain scale of the Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire. Safety was assessed using a standard form to review adverse events.

RESULTS

We enrolled 227 patients, of whom 218 provided data for the first treatment period and 181 provided data for both treatment periods. Significantly higher levels of improvement in the primary outcomes were seen for diclofenac + misoprostol than for acetaminophen (P < 0.001). Adverse events were more common when patients took diclofenac + misoprostol (P = 0.046). Diclofenac + misoprostol was rated as "better" or "much better" by 57% of the 174 patients who provided such ratings for both treatment periods, while acetaminophen was rated as "better" or "much better" by 20% of these patients, and 22% reported no difference (P < 0.001). Differences favoring diclofenac + misoprostol over acetaminophen were greater in patients with more severe osteoarthritis according to baseline pain scores, radiographs, or number of involved joints.

CONCLUSION

Patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee had significantly greater improvements in pain scores over 6 weeks with diclofenac + misoprostol than with acetaminophen, although patients with mild osteoarthritis had similar improvements with both drugs. Acetaminophen was associated with fewer adverse events.

Long-term safety and efficacy of etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with etanercept (Enbrel) in controlled studies of 3 to 6 months' duration had rapid and sustained improvement of their disease, with minimal safety issues. In this study, we examine safety and clinical benefit after longer term treatment with etanercept.

METHODS

All adult patients with RA with a previously inadequate response to one or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, and who received at least one dose of etanercept as monotherapy in controlled or open label clinical trials were evaluated for safety and clinical benefit. Adverse event rates were compared as was evidence of continued benefit over time.

RESULTS

Etanercept continued to be safe and well tolerated in 628 adult patients treated for a median of 25 mo (maximum 43 mo; 1109 patient-years). Nine percent of patients withdrew due to lack of efficacy and 7% due to adverse events. Most adverse events were mild, and no statistically significant increases in frequency of events were seen when patients received etanercept over longer periods of time. Clinical benefit was maintained with longterm therapy. A 100% improvement in individual disease activity measures was achieved by 17% to 28% of the patients. Fifty-five percent of patients who were taking corticosteroids (mean dose at baseline 6.6 mg/day) decreased or discontinued corticosteroid therapy while maintaining control of their arthritis symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Etanercept continued to be safe and well tolerated, and its clinical benefit was sustained for a median of 25 mo and for as long as 43 mo in patients with RA.

COX-2 Specific Inhibitors in the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind Study

COX-2 specific inhibitors have demonstrated significant safety advantages and comparable efficacy in osteoarthritis (OA) compared with conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but no direct comparative trials between COX-2 specific inhibitors have been published. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicenter study, 182 patients (> or =40 years old) with OA of the knee were randomly assigned to treatment with celecoxib 200 mg q.d. (n = 63), rofecoxib 25 mg q.d. (n = 59), or placebo (n = 60) for 6 weeks. Arthritis assessments were performed at baseline and Weeks 3 and 6, or at early termination. At Week 6, celecoxib and rofecoxib treatment resulted in similar mean changes from baseline (p > 0.55) in arthritis pain visual analogue scale, patient's global assessment, and total score for WOMAC; all changes were superior to placebo (p < 0.05). In the patient's global assessment of arthritis pain at Week 6, 79% of celecoxib-treated and 78% of rofecoxib-treated patients improved by > or =1 grade, compared with 50% of placebo patients (celecoxib, p = 0.025; rofecoxib, p = 0.020). Adverse event incidences were similar among the active comparators; however, celecoxib-treated patients had significantly fewer adverse gastrointestinal symptoms compared with rofecoxib-treated patients, which suggests that celecoxib may have a better gastrointestinal tolerability profile than rofecoxib at these doses. Adverse events that prompted withdrawal occurred in fewer than 7% of patients, and the overall incidences were similar between the active agents. Once-daily doses of celecoxib 200 mg and rofecoxib 25 mg offer comparable efficacy and are an effective alternative to conventional NSAIDs in the management of OA.

Merlin, DAL-1, and progesterone receptor expression in clinicopathologic subsets of meningioma: a correlative immunohistochemical study of 175 cases

The molecular pathogenesis of meningiomas is poorly characterized. Loss of NF2 (merlin) expression has been reported in 30%-80% of all sporadic meningiomas. Recently, we found that loss of expression for a second Protein 4.1-family tumor suppressor. DAL-1, is also common. A biologically important role for progesterone receptor (PR) has also been proposed based on its reported inverse relationship with tumor grade. In order to better define the pathogenetic roles of these proteins, we studied the merlin, DAL-1, and PR immunoprofiles in 175 fully characterized meningiomas, including nonrecurring versus recurring benign, proliferative versus brain invasive atypical and anaplastic subtypes. Loss of expression for either Protein 4.1-family tumor suppressor (merlin or DAL-1) was almost universal (92%), with combined losses being common (58%). Individually, absence of merlin or DAL-1 protein was detected in 74% and 76% respectively, with no significant differences among the 5 subsets. PR immunoreactivity was commonly associated with retained DAL-1 expression (p < 0.001) and with tumor grade, with 51% of benign, 21% of atypical, and 11% of anaplastic tumors staining positive (p < 0.001). We conclude that PR immunohistochemistry may have diagnostic utility in meningothelial neoplasms. Protein 4.1-family tumor suppressor losses are likely important early events in meningioma pathogenesis, whereas PR expression is associated with benignity.

Disposable plastic liners for a colostomy appliance: a controlled trial and follow-up survey of convenience, satisfaction, and costs

PURPOSE

The effectiveness of a disposable liner designed for a 2-piece colostomy appliance pouch was evaluated.

DESIGN

Randomized, crossover trial with follow-up surveys.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS

Nineteen participants were recruited from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the surrounding community.

INSTRUMENTS

A Daily Colostomy Care Evaluation Record and tally sheet of times for ostomy care were designed by the authors.

METHODS

Participants, acting as their own controls, were randomly assigned to use either an unlined or a lined appliance for 9 days. On day 10, participants switched to the opposite regimen, which was maintained through day 18. They recorded the time required for daily colostomy care and perceptions of the lined and unlined appliances. The volume of ostomy supplies and cost were recorded at baseline, 1, 3, and 5 to 9 months after the initial trial.

RESULTS

Odor, bother, perceived severity of leakage, and partner acceptance were better with unlined than lined appliances. Half of the participants were using a liner > or =75% of the time 3 months after the trial. There was no difference in cost when lined versus unlined ostomy systems were compared. Participants who chose to use the liners indicated high satisfaction. Problems noted included an inadequate seal with the liner (58%), inadequate liner size (16%), retention of flatus by the liner (11%), and difficulty removing the full liner (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

The study supports recommending liners to patients who have a modest amount of fecal output or flatus. However, patients who are unable to manipulate the seal or have a large output volume are unlikely to find the liners a convenience. Satisfaction with the liners was sufficient to warrant investigation and design of a lined device with an improved design, greater capacity, and tighter seal.

Transurethral hot-water balloon thermoablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia: patient tolerance and pathologic findings

OBJECTIVES

To determine the patient tolerance and thermal ablation pattern in human prostatic tissue after treatment with a hot water, catheter-based system.

METHODS

Twenty-seven men scheduled for surgery for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma of the prostate underwent water-induced thermotherapy. The patients were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Lidocaine gel was the sole means of pain control. The patients and an observer recorded patient discomfort during therapy. A Foley catheter was left in place until surgery (n = 13) or successful voiding (n = 14). Prostates were subsequently enucleated or removed, whole mounted, and examined.

RESULTS

Patients reported mild treatment discomfort, the level of which did not correlate with the extent of necrosis, balloon diameter, or water temperature (all P >0. 05). Distal penile burning was the most commonly reported discomfort. All 14 patients successfully voided within 12 days of treatment. Prostates were enucleated (n = 24) or removed (n = 3) at a mean of 27 days (range 4 to 120) after thermotherapy, except for a single adenectomy 17 months after therapy. Pathologic findings included periurethral hemorrhagic necrosis, with focal or extensive urothelial denudation and mild inflammation. The mean maximal depth of necrosis from the urethral lumen was 7, 9, 10.33, and 11 mm in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The extent of necrosis was similar in all groups (P = 0.11), regardless of the water temperature; conversely, the balloon diameter correlated with the depth of necrosis (P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

This system of tissue ablation appears to be well tolerated, and it produced consistent pathologic results.

Lives in many hands: the medical landscape in Lancashire, 1700-1820

Medical historians over the last two decades have provided a basic overview of the development of the medical market-place, doctoring, diagnosis and treatment, doctor-patient relationships, and the nature and longevity of alternative medical practices. They have suggested that doctors were almost always the last port of call for most families confronting everyday illness, either because of cost, availability, or preference in the light of the limitations of medical diagnosis and treatment. Equally, it has been suggested that self-medication was common among middling and other families in the past, that “old wives” and irregular practitioners had a considerable longevity in the medical patchwork, and that “quackery” exploded in urban areas in particular during the later eighteenth century. The struggle by doctors to distance themselves both from their own patients (through new medical language and forms of diagnosis) and from other parts of the calling, such as apothecaries, has been well documented. So has the long-running conflict, in the spheres of diagnosis and treatment, between established medical theory on the one hand and empiricism on the other.

Treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis with leflunomide compared with placebo and methotrexate. Leflunomide Rheumatoid Arthritis Investigators Group

CONTEXT

Leflunomide is a reversible inhibitor of de novo pyrimidine synthesis shown to be effective in a phase 2 trial in 402 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of leflunomide treatment with placebo and methotrexate treatment in patients with active RA.

DESIGN

Randomized, double-blind, placebo, and active-controlled 12-month study.

SETTING

Forty-seven university and private rheumatology practices in the United States and Canada.

PATIENTS

Diagnosis of RA by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for duration of 6 months or longer and no previous methotrexate treatment.

INTERVENTION

Leflunomide treatment (20 mg/d), placebo, or methotrexate treatment (7.5-15 mg/wk).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

American College of Rheumatology success rate (completed 52 weeks of treatment and met the ACR > or = 20% response criteria), disease progression as assessed by x-ray films, and improvement in function and health-related quality of life using the intent-to-treat population.

RESULTS

The 482 patients studied were predominantly women (mean age, 54 years; mean disease duration, 6.7 years) for whom a mean of 0.8 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs had failed. The ACR response and success rates for patients receiving leflunomide treatment (52% and 41%, respectively) and methotrexate treatment (46% and 35%, respectively) were significantly higher than those for patients receiving placebo (26% and 19%, respectively) (P<.001), and they were statistically equivalent, with mean time to initial response at 8.4 weeks for patients receiving leflunomide vs 9.5 weeks for patients receiving methotrexate therapy. X-ray analyses demonstrated less disease progression with leflunomide (P=.001) and methotrexate (P = .02) therapy than with placebo. Leflunomide and methotrexate treatment improved measures of physical function and health-related quality of life significantly more than placebo (P<.001 and P<.05, respectively). Common adverse events for patients receiving leflunomide treatment included gastrointestinal complaints, skin rash, and reversible alopecia. Asymptomatic transaminase elevations resulted in treatment discontinuations for 7.1% of patients receiving leflunomide therapy, 1.7% of patients receiving placebo, and 3.3% of patients receiving methotrexate therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical responses following administration of leflunomide, a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA, were statistically superior to those with placebo and equivalent to those with methotrexate treatment. Both active treatments improved signs and symptoms of active RA, delayed disease progression as demonstrated by x-ray films, and improved function and health-related quality of life.

Cloning, sequence analysis, and chromosomal localization of the novel human integrin alpha11 subunit (ITGA11)

The integrins are a large family of cell adhesion molecules consisting of noncovalently associated alphabeta heterodimers. We have cloned and sequenced the cDNA of a novel human integrin alpha-subunit, designated alpha11. The alpha11 cDNA encodes a mature protein with a large 1120-residue extracellular domain that contains an I-domain of 207 residues and is linked by a transmembrane domain to a short cytoplasmic domain of 24 amino acids. The deduced alpha11 protein shows the typical structural features of integrin alpha-subunits and is similar to a distinct group of alpha-subunits from collagen-binding integrins. However, it differs from most integrin alpha-chains by an incompletely preserved cytoplasmic GFFKR motif. The human ITGA11 gene was localized to bands q22.3-q23 on chromosome 15, and its transcripts were found in a variety of tissues, but predominantly in bone, cartilage, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle. Expression of a 5.5-kb alpha11 mRNA was detectable in small intestine.

Treatment of early seropositive rheumatoid arthritis with minocycline: four-year followup of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes substantial morbidity and mortality, and current treatments are suboptimal. Recent studies have demonstrated the short-term efficacy of minocycline in the treatment of patients with early RA. This study was undertaken to compare patients treated with conventional therapy in the early phase of their RA and those treated with minocycline, after 4 years of followup.

METHODS

Forty-six patients with seropositive RA of <1 year's duration had been enrolled in a double-blind study of minocycline (100 mg twice daily) versus placebo. After the blinded portion of the study (3-6 months, depending upon response), all patients were treated with conventional therapy. This report compares those patients randomized to receive placebo for 3 months and then conventional therapy for the duration of 4 years versus those originally randomized to receive minocycline.

RESULTS

Twenty of the 23 original minocycline-treated patients and 18 of the 23 original placebo-treated patients were available for followup (mean 4 years). At followup, RA was in remission (American College of Rheumatology criteria) without disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) or steroid therapy in 8 of the patients originally treated with minocycline compared with 1 patient in the placebo group (P = 0.02). Ten patients in the minocycline group versus 16 in the original placebo group currently require DMARD therapy (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Among patients with seropositive RA, remissions are more frequent and the need for DMARD therapy is less in those treated early in the disease course with minocycline compared with those treated with conventional therapy delayed by an average of only 3 months. Minocycline appears to be an effective therapy for early RA; further investigation into its mechanism of action is needed.

Preclinical memory decline in cognitively normal apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 homozygotes

OBJECTIVE

To determine, in a cross-sectional evaluation of nondemented individuals, if age-related memory decline is influenced by apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotype.

BACKGROUND

The apoE-4 allele is an important risk factor for AD. PET in cognitively normal apoE-4 carriers (mean age, 56 years) shows reduced cerebral metabolism suggestive of very early AD that precedes clinically evident memory loss or MRI-based hippocampal atrophy.

METHODS

Tests of immediate and delayed recall (primary outcome measures) and other neuropsychological measures (secondary outcome measures) were given to three genetically defined groups of cognitively normal individuals (age, 49 to 69 years) including apoE-4 homozygotes (n = 25), apoE-4 heterozygotes (n = 25, all epsilon3/4), and apoE-4 noncarriers (n = 50). Groups were matched for age, gender, and educational background. Cross-sectional comparisons between the genetic subgroups of the relationship between age and test score were performed for each neuropsychological measure.

RESULTS

There were no intergroup differences in mean scores on any neuropsychological measure, but tests sensitive to immediate and delayed recall showed a significant negative correlation with age in the apoE-4 homozygote group relative to the noncarrier group.

CONCLUSION

Consistent with previous neuropsychological studies of early AD, this cross-sectional study suggests that age-related memory decline occurs earlier in cognitively healthy apoE-4 homozygotes than in apoE-4 heterozygotes and noncarriers, and precedes clinically detectable AD.

Dopamine D4 gene 7-repeat allele and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVE

Family, twin, and adoption studies show attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to have a substantial genetic component, and some studies have reported an association between ADHD and the dopamine D4 (DRD4) gene.

METHOD

The authors recruited 27 triads that comprised an ADHD adult, his or her spouse, and their ADHD child. These triads were assessed for ADHD, and their DNA was genotyped for DRD4 alleles.

RESULTS

A multiallelic transmission disequilibrium test suggested an association between ADHD and the DRD4 7-repeat allele. Among family members, the number of 7-repeat alleles predicted the diagnosis of ADHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior reports of an association between ADHD and DRD4 generalize to families recruited through clinically referred ADHD adults. However, because there are some conflicting studies, further work is needed to clarify the role of DRD4 in the etiology of the disorder.

Ehrlichiosis with severe pulmonary manifestations despite early treatment

It is generally thought that if patients with ehrlichiosis are treated promptly, life-threatening illness can be avoided. We report a patient who sought medical attention 1 day after the onset of symptoms, was immediately given doxycycline, and still had serious illness with generalized edema, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, while receiving replacement intravenous fluids. This case alerts physicians to the serious end of the disease spectrum that can occur even though patients are given prompt, appropriate drug treatment at the onset of illness. Further studies are needed to clearly define the mechanisms involved in pulmonary complications and generalized edema, including noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, in patients with ehrlichiosis.

Intersubject variability and intrasubject reproducibility of the bereitschaftspotential

We assessed the intersubject variability and intrasubject reproducibility of the bereitschaftspotential (BP). Twenty healthy volunteers performed extensions of their wrist in a self-paced manner every 5-10 seconds. A surface electromyography (EMG) electrode was attached to the wrist extensor group of the dominant hand to record at least 100 wrist movements, and electroencephalography electrodes were placed over the scalp. Trials were performed at baseline, 15 minutes, 4 hours, and 4 weeks. Measures derived from the BP included area 1 (-2000 to -650 msec), area 2 (-650-0 msec), total area (area 1 + area 2), amplitude at -650 msec, amplitude at peak negativity prior to EMG onset, and amplitude at 0 msec (trigger). Our findings revealed different variability/reproducibility depending on the particular BP measure being analyzed. Using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) as measures of intrasubject reproducibility, area 2, amplitude at peak negativity prior to EMG onset, and amplitude at 0 msec produced the best values. We conclude that in studies that attempt to quantify BP changes before and after an intervention in the same group of subjects, the most reproducible BP measures are those pertaining to the late BP component.

Neuropsychological, physical, and psychosocial functioning of individuals with end-stage renal disease

Individuals (N = 24) being treated for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were compared to healthy control participants (N = 20) on measures of neuropsychological, physical, and psychosocial functioning. ESRD patients scored significantly lower than controls (p < .03) on Trail Making Test--Part B; 37.5% of ESRD patients were classified as impaired versus 15% of controls. ESRD patients scored lower than controls on SF-36 measures of Physical Functioning (p < .001). Psychosocial deficits were on the Affect Balance Scale (p < .04) and in employment (p < .04). The hypotheses that neuropsychological status would be associated with psychosocial differences in terms of decrements in both affect and employment rates were also supported. Mediational analysis suggested that neuropsychological status plays a role in the lower employment rates seen among ESRD patients. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Hippocampal volumes in cognitively normal persons at genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease

Brain imaging techniques have the potential to characterize neurobiological changes that precede the onset of cognitive impairment in persons at risk for Alzheimer's disease. As previously described, positron emission tomography (PET) was used to compare 11 cognitively normal persons 50 to 62 years of age who were homozygous for the epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E and 22 persons without the epsilon4 allele with a reported family history of Alzheimer's dementia who were matched for sex, age, and level of education. The epsilon4 homozygotes had significantly reduced glucose metabolism in the same brain regions as patients with Alzheimer's dementia; the largest reduction was in the posterior cingulate cortex. As described here, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to compare hippocampal volumes in the same subject groups. The epsilon4 homozygotes showed nonsignificant trends for smaller left and right hippocampal volumes; overall, smaller hippocampal volumes were associated with reduced performance on a long-term memory test. Whereas PET measurements of cerebral glucose metabolism begin to decrease before the onset of memory decline, MRI measurements of hippocampal volume begin to decrease in conjunction with memory decline in cognitively normal persons at risk for Alzheimer's disease.